ARCHIVES OF AGRONOMY AND SOIL SCIENCE, cilt.69, sa.11, ss.2138-2153, 2023 (SCI-Expanded)
This study was carried out to assess the effects of main and interactive groundwater salinities (GWS) (GWS(1):0.38, GWS(2): 5.0, and GWS(3): 10 dS m(-1)) and groundwater depths (GWD) (GWD(1): 0.30, GWD(2): 0.55, and GWD(3): 0.80 m) on yield and growth parameters of sweet corn. The canned seed yield in the GWS(2) and GWS(3) treatments reduced by 21.97% and 54.87%, respectively, as compared to the GWS(1). Increasing GWS from 0.38 to 5.0 and 10.0 dS m(-1) decreased aboveground fresh biomass by 16.67 and 37.95%, respectively. The groundwater contribution to ET varied from 26.80% to 87.10%, and capillary rise from groundwater to plant root zone decreased significantly with increasing GWD. The results showed that plant growth was not significantly affected under 0.38 dS m(-1) GWS conditions at 0.55 m GWD, while the groundwater contribution to ET was about 52%. Stomata and SPAD values increased by 36.36% and 4.34%, respectively, in GWD3 treatment compared to GWD(1) treatment. Besides, GWS decreased the leaf's K+, K+/Na+, and Ca2+/Na+ ratios at different depths. In conclusion, it can be suggested that GWD should be at least 0.80 m to achieve high sweet corn production in regions with moderately or highly saline groundwater.